San Francisco's seismic shock and 7 of America's biggest earthquakes

Alaska has been ground zero for biggest US quakes

Clint Davis, Scripps National Desk

11:04 AM, Aug 24, 2014

11:09 AM, Aug 24, 2014

NAPA, CA - AUGUST 24: A building is seen destroyed following a reported 6.0 earthquake on August 24, 2014 in Napa, California. A 6.0 earthquake rocked the San Francisco Bay Area shortly after 3:00 am on Sunday morning.

Justin Sullivan

Image copyright 2014 Getty Images. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

People survey the structural damage after a magnitude 6.0 earthquake hit on August 24, 2014 in Napa, California.

Justin Sullivan

Image copyright 2014 Getty Images. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Early this morning, a magnitude 6.0 earthquake hit the northern San Francisco Bay area, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. This event has been named the South Napa earthquake by the USGS, and is the most intense to hit the Bay area in decades.

“This is the largest earthquake in the Bay Area since the magnitude 6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989, almost 25 years ago,” a post to the USGS website indicated today.

The earthquake was felt at 3:20 a.m., eliciting responses from over 10,000 people claiming they felt it, according to the USGS.

Here are some of America's most powerful earthquakes, since 1811:

March 28, 1964 — A magnitude 9.2 earthquake hit Prince William Sound in Alaska, only five years after the territory joined the union. To date, this is the most powerful earthquake to ever hit the United States. Five other earthquakes measured at a magnitude of at least 8.0 have hit Alaska since 1899, according to the USGS.

Damage from the 1964 Alaska earthquake. (Photo: United States Geological Survey)

Jan. 9, 1857 — The most powerful earthquake to ever hit the continental 48 states slammed Fort Tejon, Calif. The Fort Tejon earthquake measured at magnitude 7.9, according to the USGS. The seismic event was felt all the way in Las Vegas.

April 18, 1906 — A fierce magnitude 7.8 earthquake rocked San Francisco, shaking the area for about 60 seconds, according to historic reports. The USGS website claims 3,000 people died from the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and about $524 million in property loss was reported.

A crumbled hotel was part of the devastating 1906 San Francisco earthquake. (Photo: USGS)

Oct. 11, 1918 — In its history, Puerto Rico has been the site of several earthquakes, with one of its most notable happening in 1918. This magnitude 7.5 earthquake emanated between Santo Domingo and San Juan, killing 116 people and causing an estimated $4 million in damages.

Dec. 16, 1811 — Feb. 7, 1812 - A series of earthquakes ranging from magnitude 7.0 to 7.7 hit New Madrid, Missouri, along the Mississippi River. According to the USGS, these events remain the largest to hit the eastern United States, encompassing 600,000 square kilometers of damage. The measurements of these earthquakes is based on modern interpretations of journals documenting the events, as there were no seismographs in North America.

Sept. 1, 1886 — America’s east coast hasn’t typically been a site for major seismic activity but in 1886, Charleston, South Carolina was rocked by a magnitude 7.3 earthquake. “This is the most damaging earthquake to occur in the Southeast United States and one of the largest historic shocks in Eastern north America,” according to the USGS. As a result, 60 people were killed by the event and structural damage was reported as far away as central Alabama and central Ohio.

A damaged building in Charleston, South Carolina after the 1886 earthquake. (Photo: USGS)

June 28, 1992 — One of the strongest earthquakes in modern American history hit the southern California city of Landers just over 22 years ago. This magnitude 7.3 event caused injuries to 400 people and resulted in two deaths from heart attacks, according to the USGS. The earthquake also triggered a magnitude 6.5 event a few hours later in nearby Big Bear, Calif.